Six things that make spring great!

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

It's time to get rid of these for at least a few months.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

An umbrella is a lot easier to operate compared to a snow shovel.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Bulb plants are some of the first to sneak through the soil in spring.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Take me out to the ball game!

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

It's time to let the kids run around outside.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Spring is the season of new beginnings. After this winter, most of the country is ready for a new beginning, and maybe a hot dog at the ballpark.

Spring sprung Thursday, March 20 at 12:57 EDT (9:57 PDT). Days will continue to get longer, temperatures will (eventually) get warmer, and spring will be all around us. To commemorate the day, here are six things that make spring great.

Sunshine and warmer weather are here.
It’s been sunny, hot and dry in the southwest. It’s been so hot and dry they’re dealing with one of their worst droughts in history. For the rest of the country, it’s been cold. It’s been snowy. It’s been a terribly long winter. Bring on the sun and warmth!

Time to ditch the winter coats.
Warmer weather means it’s time to break out the light jackets. Now we can start packing up those winter coats, gloves, hats and other bulky gear we layer on during cold winter months.

Umbrellas replace snow shovels.
Gray, rainy days may not be great, but you don’t have to shovel rain. Just watch it fall, and it helps plants grow.

It’s okay to get dirty, again.
Those April showers bring May flowers, but the flowers aren’t going to plant themselves! Some trees and bulb plants are already starting to bloom and sneak through the soil. But let’s not forget about planting new annuals, spreading mulch, growing a vegetable garden, and for farmers, getting out in the fields again.

Professional sports return outside.
We’re in the midst of that big college basketball tournament, and most of us will eventually feel slightly depressed our brackets are completely busted within the first week. Fortunately, it’s short-lived because Major League Baseball’s opening day occurs before the tournament is even over.

That goes for the smaller sports too.
It’s not just the big leagues heading back outside. Little league baseball, T-ball, youth soccer, and a plethora of outdoor activities begin in the spring. Kids can get outside, get some exercise and find a cure for the cabin fever that set in over the winter.